Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-09-18
FoNoNess FOR STREET BOYS.
How IL Came Near Getting . Humaneiy
Inclined Clergyman into Trouble.

Inclined Clergyman into Trouble.
There recently transpired in Boston
somewhat singular affair, which. so far
as the Listener knows-and he does not
propose 10 institute a minute inquiry 70
determine whether or not the story has
seen print in any FORMS as yet un-
known TO the general public. 1t is a
history of the conflict of humane clergy
mans benevolent fondness for street boys
with prim and proper sections notions
Of order and neatness about a church; and
its outcome stirred the Listeners heart in
the same way, though Of course not in
the same measure, that the triumph Of
the small boys over Gen. Cages minions
in Revolutionary days stirred il long ago.
There is one of our churches-it won't
do, for reasons Of state, to tell which
church it is-that has an entryway or
vestibule, with flight Of stone steps,
which is found very convenient by small
street urchins, newspaper boys and the
like, TO rest in, 10 gossip in, TO fall asleepin
sometimes. and, horrible TO relate! to
crack peanuts in. The litter OF shells left
by this juvenile congregation was the oc-
casion Of terror and disgust to the hon.
ored sexton Of the church. a person Of
rather set notions, who proceeded to take
the necessary steps 10 clear the vestibule
of the nuisance, driving the boys away
and warning them with dire threats never
! 10 come again.
II happened. however, to the sexton's
great astonishment, that the pastor Of
the church showed disposition TO side
with the boys. He liked TO find the little
fellows there; he liked TO think of the
church over which he ministered provid-
ing safe harbor, with nothing in it of
evil influence or suggestion, for these
human waits. Somehow the old church
seemed to be, in his mind. fulfilling the
purpose for which it was designed when
ii sheltered from the wind the street boys
with its old walls in the winter. OF cooled
and rested their hot and weary bodies
with its dark stones in the summer. The
minister talked 10 them sometimes. and
felt that their resorting there gave him q
sort Of friendly hold upon them.
So he protested with the sexton.
Couldn't you come around once in O
while after the boys have been there and
sweep the steps Off" the pastor ventured
TO ask.
Sweep the steps for the benefit Of tboee
young hoodlumsl The sexton managed
10 restrain his emotions. but with din
guilty. No; he thought II would be quite
impossible for him to keep the steps clear
Of the rubbish that those boys left there.
II was too much TO ask, and, as the mat
ter was, the condition of the steps was
frequently a scandal to the church. He
proposed that a railing or some other
means be provided that would effectually
shut out the interlopers.
1t was the minister's turn TO be stub
born. He intimated that the boys should
have chance to come there as long az hs
remained pastor Of the church. He o.
serted his authority. The sexton ap-
pealed from the decision of the pastor 70
the governing committee of the church.
There the matter was argued; and In
spite OF the pastors appeal in the boys
behalf, and his insistence that their habit
OF resorting TO the church steps might
give him an opportunity to do much
good, the committee thought more Of
the church steps than they did of the
boys, and decided the dispute in the sex
tons favor, instructing him 10 drive the
boys away and take the necessary steps
TO keep them away.
Then there was q ministerial criss
right away. The pastor appealed ths
matter TO the church. A meeting was
held, and the question considered IN az
its bearings. The pastor pleaded ne
case almost with tears IN his eyes and
certainly with humanity in his heart
He carried the day, and was 'riumphantly
sustained by the church.
And now, il d said, you may find
plenty Of boys. almost any day. linger-
ING around the steps Of the church ret
ing and gossiping, but few Psanut rl,elk
As the minister's particular friends, -
do mot betray hi confidence N theu~-
Boston Tr@nscdpl 'alstsnsr."